Used 2017 INFINITI Q70

The 2017 Infiniti Q70 luxury sedan is Infiniti’s largest and most expensive non-SUV offering. As the flagship sedan, the Q70 must not only do battle with more technically sophisticated models such as the BMW 5 Series and Cadillac CT6, but also newer makes like the Genesis G80. Power is supplied by a choice of V6, V8 or hybrid engines driving the rear wheels with the option of all-wheel drive (AWD) just a checkbox away. Long-wheelbase models offer impressive rear-seat legroom, and all Q70s are loaded with the company’s best technology and performance equipment. Still, in a space crowded with competitors like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS and Cadillac CT6, the Q70 won’t always come in first place.

While fuel efficiency isn’t its best attribute, the 5.6-liter V8 in the 2017 Infiniti Q70 has more than enough muscle to help you forget the cost of pure performance. Even the standard 3.7-liter V6 is quite good, offering immediate power for passing and merging. Those looking for diesel-like fuel economy might enjoy the hybrid, which offers better performance than the base V6 and impressive fuel-economy figures. The Q70’s available magnesium paddle shifters allow manual gear change via the 7-speed automatic transmission, and the steering, springs and shocks are all tuned for aggressive driving without returning an overly harsh ride. Four driver-selectable modes — Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow — optimize the Infiniti’s throttle sensitivity and transmission for the task at hand. However, the Eco Pedal system, which makes it harder to push down the accelerator in an attempt to encourage more efficient driving habits, is a bit odd.

The 2017 Q70’s interior is open and inviting, and passengers won’t have any issues getting comfortable. We particularly like the Q70’s driver’s seat and positioning. We’re not as hot on the dash design. It has a nice vertical flow but too many buttons and dials, which create a busy and potentially confusing layout. Opting for the extra rear-seat legroom in the Q70L gives way to an additional 5.6 inches of stretch-out room. That extra room is about all you get — you won’t find the kind of auxiliary audio and climate controls that rear-seat passengers of a Lexus GS can enjoy.

The Q70 is at once elegant, muscular, yet understated. We’re thankful that Infiniti has resisted the temptation to add a gaping grille to the Q70, a design that some rivals are attaching to every car they can produce. The Premium Select Edition aims to add a more menacing guise with dark chrome trim, darkened lower rear-bumper finisher, rear spoiler and 20-inch wheels that are also darkened. Long-wheelbase Q70 models are 202 inches in total length, compared to the standard 196.1.

ACTIVE NOISE CONTROL
Active Noise Control works by generating sound waves to counteract sound waves emanating from the engine compartment. A ceiling-mounted microphone listens for the offending frequencies, eliminating noise without drowning out the more pleasant sounds V8 lovers cherish.

AROUND VIEW MONITOR
With a camera mounted in the front bumper, both side mirrors and rear decklid, Infiniti’s 2017 Q70 luxury sedan can produce a 360-degree bird’s-eye view. Projected onto the large LCD display, the Around View Monitor aids when parallel parking or maneuvering crowed parking lots.

Thanks to the complimentary inclusion of the Premium Package — which Infiniti says is a $4,200 value — even a base, 2017 Infiniti Q70 3.7 is a well-equipped sedan that packs quite a value. The sedan comes with a V6 engine, leather interior, 7-inch color display with Around View monitor, heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way-power adjustment, push-button ignition, heated steering wheel, 10-speaker Bose audio system with AM/FM/CD/DVD player with USB and Bluetooth connectivity. In addition to their extra room, Q70L models have heated rear seats.

All-wheel drive is optional on all models except the Q70 Hybrid, which is rear-drive only. And extra rear-seat room can be bought via the long-wheelbase Q70L, also available in all forms except the hybrid. Other major options are bundled into packages and include higher-grade semi-aniline leather seating, power rear sunshade, heated rear seats, sport-tuned suspension and Bose surround-sound system. Tech and safety options include blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure/prevention system, forward and reverse emergency braking, and Infiniti’s innovative Predictive Forward Collision Warning, which warns the driver if a vehicle two cars ahead brakes suddenly.

Three powertrains are available for the 2017 Infiniti Q70 luxury sedan, including a hybrid electric. The standard engine is a V6 in the Q70 3.7, while a big, 5.6-liter V8 does duty in the Q70 5.6. The Q70 Hybrid employs a 3.5-liter V6 paired with an electric motor that’s good for a combined output of 360 horsepower and up to 33 mpg. All three engines work with a 7-speed automatic transmission, and gearshifts can be made manually through steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. All models come standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD), and the Q70 3.7 and Q70 5.6 can be had with all-wheel drive (AWD). Minus the hybrid configuration, the Infiniti Q70 is thirsty, reflected in its EPA fuel ratings.

3.7-liter V6
330 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
270 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (RWD), 18/24 mpg (AWD)

5.6-liter V8
420 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
417 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg (RWD), 16/23 mpg (AWD)

3.5-liter V6 + 50 kW electric motor
Hybrid system net horsepower: 360 @ 6,500 rpm
Hybrid system net torque: 258 lb-ft
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/33 mpg

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.